Unexpected terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unexpected terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to terms or conditions that are surprising or not anticipated in a particular context, such as contracts or agreements. Example: "The unexpected terms of the contract caught us off guard during the negotiation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's given rise to remarkable success for both sides," said David Kaufmann, a lawyer in New York who has represented many of the nation's top franchisees and franchisers and who wrote the New York franchise disclosure law, which protects franchisees from unexpected terms and conditions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is an unexpected term but an interesting one because it reveals something about the act of painting.

The New York Times

In contrast, the unexpected term at high magnetic fields is independent of the geometry of the metal precipitations.

Nanoscale Research Letters

A torsion differential equation previously used for analysing the elastic lateral buckling of simply supported doubly symmetric beams with distributed loads acting away from the centroidal axis omits an expected term and includes an unexpected term.

Engineering Structures

"Zero hours contracts should be replaced by fractional open-ended contracts and, in limited cases, by fixed-term contracts for unexpected short term staffing requirements".

BBC

Conventional in plan, that is, but unexpected in terms of form, and laced through with amenities and luxuries.

The Guardian - Arts

"Right now, when you see a house in West Orange," she said, "you have to expect the unexpected in terms of taxes.

The New York Times

This city was so unexpected in terms of virtually everything, from the food to the ornate buildings to the gorgeous waterfront, but should definitely be seen by the curious traveler.

Huffington Post

Be prepared for the unexpected in terms of weather; you'll see more than one wind-blown, inside out umbrella if you travel in the late fall or winter!

Huffington Post

Functional annotation highlighted unexpected GO terms enrichments and confirmed that genes involved in transcriptional regulation are the most significant.

Plosone

Inspection of genes identified with unexpected GO terms, such as oviposition or hermaphrodite genitalia development, revealed they encoded factors for general functions common to many developmental processes, including cell division, cell migration, vesicular trafficking, and chromatin reorganization.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts or agreements, use "unexpected terms" to refer to stipulations that deviate from common expectations to emphasize the element of surprise or deviation from the norm. This can prepare the audience for potentially challenging or unusual conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected terms" when referring to simply undesirable or unfavorable terms, as it specifically implies a lack of anticipation or surprise, not just dissatisfaction. Use language that accurately reflects your feelings about it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Unexpected terms" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. As illustrated by the Ludwig AI examples, it refers to specific conditions or stipulations that were not anticipated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Unexpected terms" is a noun phrase used to describe conditions or stipulations that are surprising or unforeseen. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase. While its frequency is rare, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. Using "unexpected terms" appropriately involves understanding its emphasis on surprise or lack of anticipation, and avoiding its use simply to describe undesirable conditions. To add variety to your writing, consider alternatives such as "surprising conditions" or "unforeseen stipulations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surprising conditions

Replaces "unexpected" with "surprising", emphasizing the element of surprise in the conditions.

Unforeseen stipulations

Substitutes "terms" with "stipulations", providing a more formal tone and highlighting the conditional nature.

Unanticipated clauses

Replaces "terms" with "clauses", specifying a part of a contract or agreement that was not anticipated.

Unpredicted provisions

Uses "unpredicted" instead of "unexpected" and "provisions" for "terms", focusing on the lack of prediction and the formal nature of the conditions.

Surprise agreements

Emphasizes the element of surprise by using it as an adjective for the whole agreement, rather than individual terms.

Sudden requirements

Highlights the suddenness of the requirements, focusing on the timing aspect of the unexpected nature.

Unlooked-for details

Uses a more informal tone by using "unlooked-for" instead of "unexpected" and "details" for "terms".

Unconventional elements

Shifts the focus to the unconventional nature of the elements, suggesting they deviate from the norm.

Novel specifications

Highlights the novelty of the specifications, indicating they are new or unusual.

Unique circumstances

Broadens the scope to circumstances, suggesting the unexpected nature arises from the uniqueness of the situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "Unexpected terms" in a contract?

You can use alternatives like "unforeseen stipulations", "unanticipated clauses", or "surprising conditions" to convey a similar meaning depending on the level of formality desired.

What's the difference between "Unexpected terms" and "Hidden terms"?

"Unexpected terms" refers to conditions that are surprising or not anticipated, while "hidden terms" implies that the terms were deliberately concealed or not made easily accessible. The key difference is the intention behind the lack of awareness.

Is it appropriate to use "Unexpected terms" in formal writing?

Yes, "Unexpected terms" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing legal or contractual agreements. However, consider alternatives like "unforeseen circumstances" or "unanticipated provisions" for an even more sophisticated tone.

What does it mean when someone says there are "Unexpected terms" in a negotiation?

It typically means that there are conditions or stipulations being introduced that were not previously discussed or anticipated by one or more parties involved in the negotiation. This can potentially lead to renegotiation or conflict.